It worsens the higher we go up... which I have to surmise means we are approaching the source of it all.
[ Metis replies come and it is equally as strained, shaking their head and trying to push forward while ensuring nobody staggers behind.
But those voices only quieten down slightly, whispering encouragement that saps at everyone's strength, gently lowering your guards. Because it's safe here. There's no need to rush. What were you even here for again...? In and out, your memory leaves you.
Unfortunately for them, as they make their way onto yet the next platform... they'll find a few enemies in their way. But unlike the humanoids before, they're more monstrous than people. Their body are tall to the height of people, but made entirely of flesh, that pulses and ripples with multiple faces - a mesh of various faces fused together. ]
...Another group to dispatch. I'll focus more on supporting you all and cover your backs.
[ Her sense of self fades in and out, and the longer this goes on... the more Mizuki is beginning to wonder if coming in like this was such a good idea after all.
—Ugh, no, as long as they're quick. In and out. They'll be fine. ]
Easy!
[ Mizuki flings herself into the pack; once again, she uses the force behind her gained momentum and the sheer strength already possessed to slam her pole into one of the monsters. ]
[ Blade supposes he would just have to ignore that false sense of security. His memory leaving him is, (un)fortunately, nothing new either. All these barriers are nuisances that hack away at his already fragile sanity.
But, he can recognize danger. It distracts him enough that Blade is already on the move when those creatures are in view. ]
I'll dispatch them.
[ Blade is already leaping into the fray, sword swinging wildly towards the ones Mizuki are not aggroing, aiming to try to decapitate at least one of them. ]
[ Those things ahead are creepy, horrible, enemies. They have to get past them. (Why do they have to...?)
No... She can't afford to waver. ]
Don't count me out!
[ Anise holds up her doll, and with another crackle of energy, it grows into its large form once again. Then, with her riding on its head, it charges at the enemies, swinging its arms, attempting to throw them off-balance to leave them vulnerable for the others to pick off. ]
[ One enemy is whacked away by the pole, and it wavers as it nearly collapses over.. except it reacts defensively rather than offensively, spewing a green acid Mizuki's way that just barely hits the arms of her suit with a loud sizzle.
The one that Blade makes way to is already lunging his way, meeting that full swing directly on - but splits into two, a high-pitched screech of multiple voices yelling at him. "What have you done what have you done WHAT HAVE YOU DONE" For a split moment, he sees Rodya's pained expression standing out in the middle of it all, before it starts to lash out in an attacking frenzy to strike at his body with a direct piercing aim to his chest.
Tokunaga and Anise come storming through, and one attempts to flee but that arm slams into it and it too reacts defensively like the first with a spew of acid that burns at them both, barely catching the edge of fabric and suit.
As Metis stated before, he isn't stretching out too far here by attack or tanking, instead sends a spell over each of them to at least start regenerating their incoming injuries, healing them over time little by little. Unfortunately for the group, all the enemies start to screech - and the ground beneath them starts to suddenly reach out and grasp at their legs with fleshy tendrils. Try to react fast! ]
[ Ew ew ew gross grooooss. This is the wrong dungeon for barfing xiv enemies!!!
But if it's trying to defend itself, it works; rather than continue her assault, Mizuki pulls back with a disgusted noise, shaking her arm out. It doesn't do much for the acid already seeping into the arm of her suit, and she feels the burn on herself.
Yet there's no time to linger on that. Fortunately, Mizuki can do fast. Quick on her feet, she leaps upward, a bit higher than what's normally humanly possible, arcing back to put distance between herself and both monster and tendril. ]
[ Well, Blade is more or less prepared for some sort of nonsense because he had dealt with that foolishness from earlier, so the sudden splitting doesn't evoke much surprise. If anything, he feels his body automatically shift into position, already calculating his next move by intuition alone.
Indeed, the cacophony of a myriad voices yelling at him feels like nothing, the condemnation spilling forth from the creatures' lips inconsequential. Already, he is swinging and then—Rodya's pained face.
It startles him, and then...he feels it pierce into his chest.
Blood...he can feel it escape him. Through even his mouth.
But this—
—is enough. Blade's left hand reaches to grab a hold of that arm, and forces it out.
Then, even with blood spilling down his lips, Blade's sword strikes out, fiercer and strong than ever towards the enemy right before his eyes—with the help of Shuhu's Gift, that would be a strong strike to try to bisect it properly, and a forcible leach off of that creature to minimally heal himself. Not enough to completely offset the attack, the echoes of pain still present even if now not at an agonizing ferocity. But the wound is somewhat less dire with that (25% heal rate.) ]
[ Tokunaga lunges away when something is sprayed at them, but it doesn't quite evade it fully. There's a sizzling sound, and Anise looks down to see the weird substance eating away at her suit, burning its way to her leg, and she sucks in a breath as the pain starts to radiate.
It hurts. But it's not Anise's legs that have to move right now; it's Tokunaga's. As the ground tries to grab them, the bulky doll leaps into the air and throws itself at another enemy in a flying kick. ]
This is getting bad. We should keep going! Blade, are you -- [ yikes. is that blood coming out of his mouth!? ]
[ Maybe instead of a boss spewing poison aoes you get trash mobs doing it.
The flesh loses its grip as Mizuki leaps away, and the monstrous creature changing up its tactics and flings itself after like a tightly wound boomerang. Spewing more acid her way, trying to force her back down. Extending itself to try and grasp at any part of her, intending to burden her with its weight.
As that arm is yanked out, the creature emits a guttural cry as its torn to pieces once more by Blade's attack, but this time the damage is overly done that the flesh beneath begins to absorb it immediately, taking it away even as what remains tries to leech onto Blade's body. Grasping. Gripping. Trying to reach for him and take, an alienated echo of numerous voices young and old, familiar and unfamiliar begging for death. kill, kill, kill me kill me kill me. Flesh grows over Blade's feet and legs, digging with a sharp hold and tearing at what it can reach.
The poisonous acid damage is brutal here, but Tokunaga and Anise make the best of it at least. And the ground barely loses its grip as the doll leaps up, the monstrous creature dealing with after the doll getting kicked away and -- looks at my roll, well OFF THE LEDGE I GUESS. ]
Lady Anise is right, let us keep moving! [ Metis comes over with that sword made of pure light to slash at the flesh around the ground, getting rid of any hold it has on Blade, on what it tries to grab at him as well. Freeing them enough opportunity to run ahead. ] The sooner we get to the Core, the better!
[ Of course it would come barreling towards her again.
Normally, in the moment she'd try to think of something to maneuver away again—but the oppressive air about them still swats at her senses, dulling quick wit, and so when she tries to plan her way out of this one, she's a little too slow when her feet hit the ground again.
For as large as the monster is, it's unexpectedly fast, and manages to spew even more acid over her. And then it rams right into her, knocking Mizuki back.
Which. Fuckin ow.
Fortunately she doesn't stay down for long, and does overhear the others. ]
So we gotta ditch 'em, huh... Dammit, fine! But you assholes are toast later!
[ All things considered, Blade believes he's been in infinitely worse situations than the one before him. The noises blending together with familiarity and unfamiliarity asking for death are disorienting, even as he's already bringing up his sword, willing to strike anywhere to get whatever it is off of him.
He'll put it out of its misery. Blade can understand keenly its demands and pleas, after all.
Fortunately, Metis swoops in so he doesn't become too immersed at what's happening for disregard for himself. His words even further serving to remind him what he should be doing.
...Distractions. That's why they are. ]
I'm fine.
[ He says belatedly, to Anise, even though the wound still stings; he has time to wipe away the blood that trailed down one side of his lip, the taste of iron still lingering for him. But he can move, that's good enough, with a body like his.
[ Everyone's still up... Good. They can still move. ]
Out of the way, you bastards!
[ That last lucky hit managed to knock one right off the ledge. If any more try to block their path, she'll use Tokunaga to swing at them, trying to keep a path clear for all of them to book it out of here. ]
[ It rams and tries to cling to her, grasping and pulling. The voice of Iris rings through, "Please, it's so cold... it's so cold... I don't want to die here..!! MIZUKI!!!" It wails, clambering to chase after, the flesh around sinking onto the ground - the color of the membrane changing from a sickly purple to a bright pink. The leftover creatures draining of their energy.
Blade dispatches the rest of the enemy with wide swings of his sword, sprinting ahead and as he does that injury in his chest starts to fester little by little. A stinging sensation as if something is slowly prying his injury further open, burning hot. But they're all moving, they need to keep moving. (Why? Why do you have to move forward?)
Tokunaga takes charge, whacking wildly around and it does help clear their way for the most part, allowing them quick access off the bridge and onto the final elevated way up. Metis is behind the rest of the group, making sure nobody is left and rams anything that tries to grasp at them with swings of his sword. Forward, forward, they can't stop now.
When the group finally reaches the top, they'll know they are at the highest elevated floor they can within this tower as the "ceiling" above opens up with walls spiraling out. Looking around, that ominous fog that was hiding the top of the tower outside can be seen rolling in and out in the air. A purple mist resting heavy in the air, a thickness that makes it hard to breathe - not as much for those with their helmets still on, but even the helmets prove to not be completely resistant. Not with the damage that's been done to them. At the end of these wavering bridges that curve throughout ahead, there's a large pulsing "seed" that extends a bit upwards. Each pulse sending a wave throughout the air outwards and every single time it ripples out does it make it harder to think.
Your head is filled with too many voices, increasing and decreasing in volume, a chill running under skin as your instincts try to fight against you. The urge to leave, the need to stay, that incredible desire to give up. Metis pushes behind, voice strained. ]
[ The things she's going to end up hearing in her nightmares tonight, man.
Mizuki isn't going to waste the opening given to them, though; pushing aside the horrific screams, she follows the group, and up they go.
They arrive at the top, yet despite how close they are... it's beginning to feel harder than ever to press on. With labored breathing and heavy limbs, Mizuki steps forward, only to stop to rub at her head once again. ]
[ Agonizing...simply agonizing. It's incredible, this amount of pain; nauseating, yet perfect, like he's being slowly ripped apart from within. His condition is a bit less stellar than he might have thought. That's fine, though. He doesn't need help.
He never needed that. Even with his memory of the simple reason for why they're moving slips through his fingers like water.
Thankfully the smallest reprieve available is that he still has his helmet when they get to the top. But, his wounds aren't helping much, so it unfortunately balances out in a way. He's familiar with the feeling of himself trying to fight against his own mind, at least, even if it makes it no less arduous.
Blade forces himself forward, breathing a bit heavy, words from Metis and Mizuki so quietly abruptly spoken only seemingly like faded whispers in the background. ]
Haha...hahaha...yes, almost there...let's finish it. Let's finish it all!!!
[ Then, Blade just shoots forward, rational thought leaving him. There is only an obstacle. He gets closer and closer, sword in hand, ready to try to pierce thee pulsing seed should he even be able to get that close. ]
[ If not for the pain, Anise might think she's sleeping, with how muddled her senses are. Everything feels unreal. Would it matter if she stopped now...?
One of those pulses hits them, and Tokunaga suddenly slumps face-first onto the ground. It's Anise's will that powers the doll, after all. If that falters... ]
Keep going...
[ It's unclear if this is a plea to the others, herself, or Tokunaga. The doll shrinks back to its smaller size, and she grips it tightly against her chest as she keeps walking, pausing only to watch in bewilderment when Blade manages to take off running. She gives a glance to Mizuki and Metis, and continues on. ]
[ Almost there, almost there. There's the final stretch. But that's something about that pulsing seed to Mizuki, the Core rippling more waves of pulses that ring louder in her head. This place is a sanctuary, it needs to be protected, layering a fog over all other thoughts and desires. None of that is important. This is. Stop them stop them stopthemstopthemstopthem.
Blade abandons all else to shoot forward, across one wavering bridge onto the next platform, closer and closer but the way there isn't precisely that easy. The floors give away, breaking apart, cracking the platforms as flesh snags at his legs, slowing him down. Fortunately they aren't too strong to stop him entirely, his brute force able to rip the flesh from around his legs.
The pulses are even stronger the closer they all are, making it even more difficult to approach. A defensive mechanisms that has you faltering, hesitating, second-guessing yourself. Is this really the right way of things? Fighting back against what you know to be right.
Tokunaga's energy flickers out, and flesh nearby bubbles up to latch onto Anise in a sudden lunge, locking her in place, threatening to submerge her into the ground, sapping at her strength. Metis comes beside her, holding a hand out. ]
Lady Anise! Take hold of my hand! [ He shouts ahead at where Mizuki and Blade go off. ] Take heed, my friends! Do not lose yourselves just yet - we need to stay together!
[ The spire begins to tremble, the whole structure giving way to a harder earthquake, threatening your balance as it sways and from above at the top do ridges start to unfurl, giving away to one single giant eye that stares down at them. A pure red eye, pupil a needle sharp gold that focus in on them. Do you look? Do you keep going? A single glance is all it takes to petrify you in place. ]
[ Unfortunately for Metis, his cries fall on deaf ears. Mizuki suddenly stops, a slight sway in her demeanor... and if any of them happen to see her face, it's as if all life has faded from her expression.
And then, with an unnatural swiftness, Mizuki bolts forth over the bridge. Blade may have gotten a head start, but he's being slowed down, and she's fast, and it hardly takes any time before she closes in the distance between them.
So what does she do? Throw a hard kick at him that'll hit like a fuckin truck, of course. ]
[ Blade isn't exactly paying attention to any sort of thing at the moment except going forward.
After all, he has to go forward. Nothing is going to stop him. Nothing...
His single-minded determination has him closer to his destination than not. He is no slouch either, after all. But, because of that single-mindedness, he doesn't bother to check behind him for any possible enemies as a just-in-case (roll: 5), even if it might be prudent in an active combat situation.
He does hear the sound of someone closing in distance, and whirls around to face her. He doesn't have much time to do anything like step out of the way, nor even try to attack in turn. Mizuki's kick lands into his stomach, and he is vaulted in the direction he was headed in since I assume that is the kind of super strength we're playing with.
He hits the ground rolling, with some broken bones (ribs), and once again is coughing up blood again. Blade is a sturdy man, it's true, but super strength is a thing, and he isn't at 100% (and even if he were, it'd still hurt.)
Still, he'll begin to force himself up, even with himself in a less than an idea condition, and his hand still having remained on his sword. A precarious position for sure. ]
[ Anise doesn't see what grabs her leg right away. All there is is the whiplash when she tries to press forward, but is suddenly yanked back instead. She yelps in surprise, and when she finally sees it, panic grips her, even as the sea of voices threatens to drown it out.
If she stops here, she'll disappear. She's sure of it.
Metis offers a hand, and she desperately shoots her hand out to reach for him. The other still holds tightly to her doll.
The others have gone ahead, and somewhere in the corner of her mind, she's aware that there's a struggle, but she can't spare a moment to watch. ]
Metis focuses on taking Anise's hand, gliding the end of his sword at the edge of that flesh to avoid hurting her directly. On one hand it's enough to free her, removing her from that fleshy prison, but on the other some of it stays stuck wrapped on her legs like a pair of flesh leggings. Gross. Ew.
He keeps hold of her hand as he ushers them forward, towards that Core seed as it continuously pulses. Keeping attention focused on their other two members that seem to be in a Cowboy Stand-off.
The area continues to rumble, a distant wailing that sounds almost like an echoing song. That large gigantic eye above watching them but does nothing yet. Each of you facing your own sense of terrors and voices, some harder than others. That aroma mist infiltrating the area little by little as if to try and obscure the way towards the Core. ]
If Blade was ushering forth single-mindedly, well, now Mizuki is too. She doesn't relent, or even give him a moment to spare; he goes down, and she lunges for him again before he can gain much time to get up, swinging another forceful punch his way.
All the meanwhile, she shows no anger or vigor or anything of the sort; her expression remains completely emotionless. ]
He can't count on himself to be allowed an easy reprieve, but at least this time, he sees her coming, and decides to have himself so he can roll out of the way, and seamlessly to his feet; there's only so many times a combat veteran can be taken off-guard. Even if he is injured, and the maneuver itself isn't pleasant, considering his wounds.
But really, if he were that easy to take down, he wouldn't be a capable fighter either. She will not have that opportunity she had ever again.
Blade will watch her closely, stepping back, awaiting an opening instead of doubling back immediately towards his prized destination or immediately blindly attacking. ]
[ Metis pulls her free, and Anise gives him a grateful look before turning to also see... what the fuck is happening with those two.
Mizuki and Blade seem to fully have each other occupied, and jumping into the fray to try to stop this would probably only end badly, but... maybe this is their chance. If they're fighting each other, then who's left to defend the seed? ]
... It's now or never.
[ She sets Tokunaga back on her shoulders, then breaks into a run. It's hindered somewhat by her injuries, the awkward weight of flesh clinging to her legs tugging at her balance, but she pushes forward. She draws the mace she brought with her and charges toward the seed. ]
[ The tempering wills the tempered to worship, to protect, to defend until your last breath. The seed is what will save you from this hellish life by surrendering. Offer yourselves onto and soon you too will ascend. It rests in the back of their heads, louder and clearer, but Blade and Anise at least have enough of their sanity to keep it held back. However, Blade will find that will slowly ebbing the longer those pulses continue.
Metis is quick to move behind Anise, slashing at whatever flesh tries to reach out to them, and while he stays right behind her he keeps his attention focused on the other two. Not necessarily worried for Blade, but more so for Mizuki, told by the way his voice sounds in concern. ]
Once we deal with the Core, she will hopefully return to herself! We must focus on depowering it!
[ That seed grows, vines unfurling from around it to lash out as Anise gets closer, pulses trembling to push out more of those waves. With Anise's attention on the seed, she'll find her vision doubling, wavering and when she focuses again she'll find Ion standing before it. A hand is clasped over his mouth, peeks of a purple miasma emitting from his mouth with each cough, "You.. can't! Don't do it!" ]
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[ Metis replies come and it is equally as strained, shaking their head and trying to push forward while ensuring nobody staggers behind.
But those voices only quieten down slightly, whispering encouragement that saps at everyone's strength, gently lowering your guards. Because it's safe here. There's no need to rush. What were you even here for again...? In and out, your memory leaves you.
Unfortunately for them, as they make their way onto yet the next platform... they'll find a few enemies in their way. But unlike the humanoids before, they're more monstrous than people. Their body are tall to the height of people, but made entirely of flesh, that pulses and ripples with multiple faces - a mesh of various faces fused together. ]
...Another group to dispatch. I'll focus more on supporting you all and cover your backs.
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—Ugh, no, as long as they're quick. In and out. They'll be fine. ]
Easy!
[ Mizuki flings herself into the pack; once again, she uses the force behind her gained momentum and the sheer strength already possessed to slam her pole into one of the monsters. ]
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But, he can recognize danger. It distracts him enough that Blade is already on the move when those creatures are in view. ]
I'll dispatch them.
[ Blade is already leaping into the fray, sword swinging wildly towards the ones Mizuki are not aggroing, aiming to try to decapitate at least one of them. ]
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No... She can't afford to waver. ]
Don't count me out!
[ Anise holds up her doll, and with another crackle of energy, it grows into its large form once again. Then, with her riding on its head, it charges at the enemies, swinging its arms, attempting to throw them off-balance to leave them vulnerable for the others to pick off. ]
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The one that Blade makes way to is already lunging his way, meeting that full swing directly on - but splits into two, a high-pitched screech of multiple voices yelling at him. "What have you done what have you done WHAT HAVE YOU DONE" For a split moment, he sees Rodya's pained expression standing out in the middle of it all, before it starts to lash out in an attacking frenzy to strike at his body with a direct piercing aim to his chest.
Tokunaga and Anise come storming through, and one attempts to flee but that arm slams into it and it too reacts defensively like the first with a spew of acid that burns at them both, barely catching the edge of fabric and suit.
As Metis stated before, he isn't stretching out too far here by attack or tanking, instead sends a spell over each of them to at least start regenerating their incoming injuries, healing them over time little by little. Unfortunately for the group, all the enemies start to screech - and the ground beneath them starts to suddenly reach out and grasp at their legs with fleshy tendrils. Try to react fast! ]
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[ Ew ew ew gross grooooss. This is the wrong dungeon for barfing xiv enemies!!!
But if it's trying to defend itself, it works; rather than continue her assault, Mizuki pulls back with a disgusted noise, shaking her arm out. It doesn't do much for the acid already seeping into the arm of her suit, and she feels the burn on herself.
Yet there's no time to linger on that. Fortunately, Mizuki can do fast. Quick on her feet, she leaps upward, a bit higher than what's normally humanly possible, arcing back to put distance between herself and both monster and tendril. ]
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Indeed, the cacophony of a myriad voices yelling at him feels like nothing, the condemnation spilling forth from the creatures' lips inconsequential. Already, he is swinging and then—Rodya's pained face.
It startles him, and then...he feels it pierce into his chest.
Blood...he can feel it escape him. Through even his mouth.
But this—
—is enough. Blade's left hand reaches to grab a hold of that arm, and forces it out.
Then, even with blood spilling down his lips, Blade's sword strikes out, fiercer and strong than ever towards the enemy right before his eyes—with the help of Shuhu's Gift, that would be a strong strike to try to bisect it properly, and a forcible leach off of that creature to minimally heal himself. Not enough to completely offset the attack, the echoes of pain still present even if now not at an agonizing ferocity. But the wound is somewhat less dire with that (25% heal rate.) ]
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It hurts. But it's not Anise's legs that have to move right now; it's Tokunaga's. As the ground tries to grab them, the bulky doll leaps into the air and throws itself at another enemy in a flying kick. ]
This is getting bad. We should keep going! Blade, are you -- [ yikes. is that blood coming out of his mouth!? ]
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The flesh loses its grip as Mizuki leaps away, and the monstrous creature changing up its tactics and flings itself after like a tightly wound boomerang. Spewing more acid her way, trying to force her back down. Extending itself to try and grasp at any part of her, intending to burden her with its weight.
As that arm is yanked out, the creature emits a guttural cry as its torn to pieces once more by Blade's attack, but this time the damage is overly done that the flesh beneath begins to absorb it immediately, taking it away even as what remains tries to leech onto Blade's body. Grasping. Gripping. Trying to reach for him and take, an alienated echo of numerous voices young and old, familiar and unfamiliar begging for death. kill, kill, kill me kill me kill me. Flesh grows over Blade's feet and legs, digging with a sharp hold and tearing at what it can reach.
The poisonous acid damage is brutal here, but Tokunaga and Anise make the best of it at least. And the ground barely loses its grip as the doll leaps up, the monstrous creature dealing with after the doll getting kicked away and -- looks at my roll, well OFF THE LEDGE I GUESS. ]
Lady Anise is right, let us keep moving! [ Metis comes over with that sword made of pure light to slash at the flesh around the ground, getting rid of any hold it has on Blade, on what it tries to grab at him as well. Freeing them enough opportunity to run ahead. ] The sooner we get to the Core, the better!
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Normally, in the moment she'd try to think of something to maneuver away again—but the oppressive air about them still swats at her senses, dulling quick wit, and so when she tries to plan her way out of this one, she's a little too slow when her feet hit the ground again.
For as large as the monster is, it's unexpectedly fast, and manages to spew even more acid over her. And then it rams right into her, knocking Mizuki back.
Which. Fuckin ow.
Fortunately she doesn't stay down for long, and does overhear the others. ]
So we gotta ditch 'em, huh... Dammit, fine! But you assholes are toast later!
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He'll put it out of its misery. Blade can understand keenly its demands and pleas, after all.
Fortunately, Metis swoops in so he doesn't become too immersed at what's happening for disregard for himself. His words even further serving to remind him what he should be doing.
...Distractions. That's why they are. ]
I'm fine.
[ He says belatedly, to Anise, even though the wound still stings; he has time to wipe away the blood that trailed down one side of his lip, the taste of iron still lingering for him. But he can move, that's good enough, with a body like his.
Blade then begins to sprint ahead. ]
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Out of the way, you bastards!
[ That last lucky hit managed to knock one right off the ledge. If any more try to block their path, she'll use Tokunaga to swing at them, trying to keep a path clear for all of them to book it out of here. ]
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Blade dispatches the rest of the enemy with wide swings of his sword, sprinting ahead and as he does that injury in his chest starts to fester little by little. A stinging sensation as if something is slowly prying his injury further open, burning hot. But they're all moving, they need to keep moving. (Why? Why do you have to move forward?)
Tokunaga takes charge, whacking wildly around and it does help clear their way for the most part, allowing them quick access off the bridge and onto the final elevated way up. Metis is behind the rest of the group, making sure nobody is left and rams anything that tries to grasp at them with swings of his sword. Forward, forward, they can't stop now.
When the group finally reaches the top, they'll know they are at the highest elevated floor they can within this tower as the "ceiling" above opens up with walls spiraling out. Looking around, that ominous fog that was hiding the top of the tower outside can be seen rolling in and out in the air. A purple mist resting heavy in the air, a thickness that makes it hard to breathe - not as much for those with their helmets still on, but even the helmets prove to not be completely resistant. Not with the damage that's been done to them. At the end of these wavering bridges that curve throughout ahead, there's a large pulsing "seed" that extends a bit upwards. Each pulse sending a wave throughout the air outwards and every single time it ripples out does it make it harder to think.
Your head is filled with too many voices, increasing and decreasing in volume, a chill running under skin as your instincts try to fight against you. The urge to leave, the need to stay, that incredible desire to give up. Metis pushes behind, voice strained. ]
Up ahead, it's there--
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Mizuki isn't going to waste the opening given to them, though; pushing aside the horrific screams, she follows the group, and up they go.
They arrive at the top, yet despite how close they are... it's beginning to feel harder than ever to press on. With labored breathing and heavy limbs, Mizuki steps forward, only to stop to rub at her head once again. ]
...
[ No, no, they're close. They're— ]
Almost there...
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He never needed that. Even with his memory of the simple reason for why they're moving slips through his fingers like water.
Thankfully the smallest reprieve available is that he still has his helmet when they get to the top. But, his wounds aren't helping much, so it unfortunately balances out in a way. He's familiar with the feeling of himself trying to fight against his own mind, at least, even if it makes it no less arduous.
Blade forces himself forward, breathing a bit heavy, words from Metis and Mizuki so quietly abruptly spoken only seemingly like faded whispers in the background. ]
Haha...hahaha...yes, almost there...let's finish it. Let's finish it all!!!
[ Then, Blade just shoots forward, rational thought leaving him. There is only an obstacle. He gets closer and closer, sword in hand, ready to try to pierce thee pulsing seed should he even be able to get that close. ]
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One of those pulses hits them, and Tokunaga suddenly slumps face-first onto the ground. It's Anise's will that powers the doll, after all. If that falters... ]
Keep going...
[ It's unclear if this is a plea to the others, herself, or Tokunaga. The doll shrinks back to its smaller size, and she grips it tightly against her chest as she keeps walking, pausing only to watch in bewilderment when Blade manages to take off running. She gives a glance to Mizuki and Metis, and continues on. ]
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Blade abandons all else to shoot forward, across one wavering bridge onto the next platform, closer and closer but the way there isn't precisely that easy. The floors give away, breaking apart, cracking the platforms as flesh snags at his legs, slowing him down. Fortunately they aren't too strong to stop him entirely, his brute force able to rip the flesh from around his legs.
The pulses are even stronger the closer they all are, making it even more difficult to approach. A defensive mechanisms that has you faltering, hesitating, second-guessing yourself. Is this really the right way of things? Fighting back against what you know to be right.
Tokunaga's energy flickers out, and flesh nearby bubbles up to latch onto Anise in a sudden lunge, locking her in place, threatening to submerge her into the ground, sapping at her strength. Metis comes beside her, holding a hand out. ]
Lady Anise! Take hold of my hand! [ He shouts ahead at where Mizuki and Blade go off. ] Take heed, my friends! Do not lose yourselves just yet - we need to stay together!
[ The spire begins to tremble, the whole structure giving way to a harder earthquake, threatening your balance as it sways and from above at the top do ridges start to unfurl, giving away to one single giant eye that stares down at them. A pure red eye, pupil a needle sharp gold that focus in on them. Do you look? Do you keep going? A single glance is all it takes to petrify you in place. ]
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And then, with an unnatural swiftness, Mizuki bolts forth over the bridge. Blade may have gotten a head start, but he's being slowed down, and she's fast, and it hardly takes any time before she closes in the distance between them.
So what does she do? Throw a hard kick at him that'll hit like a fuckin truck, of course. ]
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After all, he has to go forward. Nothing is going to stop him. Nothing...
His single-minded determination has him closer to his destination than not. He is no slouch either, after all. But, because of that single-mindedness, he doesn't bother to check behind him for any possible enemies as a just-in-case (roll: 5), even if it might be prudent in an active combat situation.
He does hear the sound of someone closing in distance, and whirls around to face her. He doesn't have much time to do anything like step out of the way, nor even try to attack in turn. Mizuki's kick lands into his stomach, and he is vaulted in the direction he was headed in since I assume that is the kind of super strength we're playing with.
He hits the ground rolling, with some broken bones (ribs), and once again is coughing up blood again. Blade is a sturdy man, it's true, but super strength is a thing, and he isn't at 100% (and even if he were, it'd still hurt.)
Still, he'll begin to force himself up, even with himself in a less than an idea condition, and his hand still having remained on his sword. A precarious position for sure. ]
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If she stops here, she'll disappear. She's sure of it.
Metis offers a hand, and she desperately shoots her hand out to reach for him. The other still holds tightly to her doll.
The others have gone ahead, and somewhere in the corner of her mind, she's aware that there's a struggle, but she can't spare a moment to watch. ]
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[ What the FUCK is happening over there??
Metis focuses on taking Anise's hand, gliding the end of his sword at the edge of that flesh to avoid hurting her directly. On one hand it's enough to free her, removing her from that fleshy prison, but on the other some of it stays stuck wrapped on her legs like a pair of flesh leggings. Gross. Ew.
He keeps hold of her hand as he ushers them forward, towards that Core seed as it continuously pulses. Keeping attention focused on their other two members that seem to be in a Cowboy Stand-off.
The area continues to rumble, a distant wailing that sounds almost like an echoing song. That large gigantic eye above watching them but does nothing yet. Each of you facing your own sense of terrors and voices, some harder than others. That aroma mist infiltrating the area little by little as if to try and obscure the way towards the Core. ]
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If Blade was ushering forth single-mindedly, well, now Mizuki is too. She doesn't relent, or even give him a moment to spare; he goes down, and she lunges for him again before he can gain much time to get up, swinging another forceful punch his way.
All the meanwhile, she shows no anger or vigor or anything of the sort; her expression remains completely emotionless. ]
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He can't count on himself to be allowed an easy reprieve, but at least this time, he sees her coming, and decides to have himself so he can roll out of the way, and seamlessly to his feet; there's only so many times a combat veteran can be taken off-guard. Even if he is injured, and the maneuver itself isn't pleasant, considering his wounds.
But really, if he were that easy to take down, he wouldn't be a capable fighter either. She will not have that opportunity she had ever again.
Blade will watch her closely, stepping back, awaiting an opening instead of doubling back immediately towards his prized destination or immediately blindly attacking. ]
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Mizuki and Blade seem to fully have each other occupied, and jumping into the fray to try to stop this would probably only end badly, but... maybe this is their chance. If they're fighting each other, then who's left to defend the seed? ]
... It's now or never.
[ She sets Tokunaga back on her shoulders, then breaks into a run. It's hindered somewhat by her injuries, the awkward weight of flesh clinging to her legs tugging at her balance, but she pushes forward. She draws the mace she brought with her and charges toward the seed. ]
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Metis is quick to move behind Anise, slashing at whatever flesh tries to reach out to them, and while he stays right behind her he keeps his attention focused on the other two. Not necessarily worried for Blade, but more so for Mizuki, told by the way his voice sounds in concern. ]
Once we deal with the Core, she will hopefully return to herself! We must focus on depowering it!
[ That seed grows, vines unfurling from around it to lash out as Anise gets closer, pulses trembling to push out more of those waves. With Anise's attention on the seed, she'll find her vision doubling, wavering and when she focuses again she'll find Ion standing before it. A hand is clasped over his mouth, peeks of a purple miasma emitting from his mouth with each cough, "You.. can't! Don't do it!" ]
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